Question from a reader:
It’s acceptable to criticize Prince Hisahito and Princess Kako, but why is it intolerable to criticize Princess Aiko? I’d like to know the reasoning behind this.
Criticism of the Royal Family and Its Background
Recently, discussions around criticism of the royal family have been quite active. There seems to be a trend where criticism of Prince Hisahito
and Princess Kako is permitted, while criticism of Princess Aiko is not. What is the basis for this difference?
The Boundary Between Public Duties and Criticism
Firstly, members of the royal family serve the nation through their public duties. Therefore, it is natural to have opinions about the content and nature of these duties. However, if the criticism is merely slanderous or emotionally charged, it can lead to problems. Many people feel that criticism of Princess Aiko is particularly unacceptable because she has a strong possibility of becoming the Emperor in the future. In fact, while working part-time at a judicial scrivener’s office, I often find myself reflecting on the appropriateness of criticism directed at public figures from a legal professional’s perspective. Public figures should be evaluated based on their public duties, and it is inappropriate for them to be criticized based on personal feelings or biases.
The Quality of Criticism and Its Impact
Criticism has a quality to it, and well-founded criticism should be accepted. However, emotional or uninformed criticism is merely an attack. During my student days, I learned how dangerous such misunderstandings and biases can be while discussing politics and society with friends. Interestingly, I remember one friend saying, “It’s easy to attack others to push your own opinion, but having a solid opinion of your own is true strength.”
Conclusion and Call to Action
Criticism of the royal family should be approached with caution. It’s important to understand their public duties and hold opinions based on solid reasoning. This is why criticism of Princess Aiko is particularly sensitive. Considering her potential future role as Empress, there are high expectations for her. What do you think about criticism related to the royal family? If you have any interesting anecdotes or opinions about interactions with public figures in your daily life, please share them in the comments. I’d love for us to exchange experiences and gain a deeper understanding together.
